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After Further Review: 'Slave' undermines Williams' credibility

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Each week, GolfChannel.com takes a look back at the week in golf. In this edition of After Further Review, our writers weigh in on Steve Williams' needless inclusion of the word "slave" in his new book, fearless 20-somethings winning on the PGA Tour is officially a trend and the psychology of second place.

It’s understandable that Steve Williams was hurt by his falling-out with Tiger Woods, so much so that he’s still dishing on some of Woods’ dirty laundry five years after parting ways with his former friend and boss.

But comparing the picking up one of Tiger’s thrown clubs to feeling like a slave was out of touch, tone deaf and just plain ridiculous. I know Williams wasn’t being literal, but if he’s taking the time to sit down and explain himself in order to earn more money than he already has, then he needs to choose his words a little more carefully.

Disrespected. Demeaned. Embarassed. Hurt. These are all better options, words that are understandable, even relatable.

There’s plenty in that book to keep the golf and gossip world occupied. Adding the word “slave” to the mix just undermines his own credibility and robs him of sympathy he might otherwise have gained. - Nick Menta

You’ve probably heard this before: fearless twenty-something starts a PGA Tour Sunday in contention, charges clear of the field with a flurry of birdies and outduels a collection of far more accomplished players to hoist the trophy.

The only thing that changed on Sunday was the name. This time it was Justin Thomas’ turn after he began the final round of the CIMB Classic tied for the lead, birdied three of his last four holes and beat Adam Scott by a stroke.

That makes it four consecutive winners 23 or younger on the Tour and 11 of the last 12 champions in their 20s. It’s officially a trend. - Rex Hoggard

Stacy Lewis is caught in a maddening place. Her close call Sunday at the Blue Bay LPGA was her sixth second-place finish this season, her eighth since her last LPGA victory 16 months ago. She’s an 11-time LPGA winner, with two majors on her résumé. So, yes, she’s a proven winner, but she’s also in a frustrating state in that she knows how close she has been to a spectacular two-year run. She won three times last year while sweeping the LPGA’s Rolex Player of the Year Award, the Vare Trophy and the money-winning title. But she also had six second-place finishes in 2014. So what do you focus on if you’re Lewis? What you are doing right to give yourself so many good chances? Or what’s going wrong falling short in those bids for the ultimate prize? The psychology of second place is surely an exasperating study. - Randall Mell